Astros' Brad Peacock focused on refining new pitch

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock (41) celebrates getting out of the ninth inning after Seattle Mariners Robinson Cano grounded out to Altuve during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Monday, September 17, 2018, in Houston. less

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock (41) celebrates getting out of the ninth inning after Seattle Mariners Robinson Cano grounded out to Altuve during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

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Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock (41) celebrates getting out of the ninth inning after Seattle Mariners Robinson Cano grounded out to Altuve during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Monday, September 17, 2018, in Houston. less

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock (41) celebrates getting out of the ninth inning after Seattle Mariners Robinson Cano grounded out to Altuve during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Astros' Brad Peacock focused on refining new pitch

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Inspiration for Brad Peacock's new pitch was something old, something new and something borrowed from a player who once wore blue.

Scrolling through his Twitter feed one night this offseason, Peacock stumbled upon a video of Hall of Fame Padres closer Trevor Hoffman teaching his changeup grip.

"I ran with that one," the 31-year-old righthander said Wednesday.

Peacock will devote spring training to utilizing and refining the new pitch. Varying his repertoire can better position him in competition for the fifth spot in Houston's starting rotation during spring training.

"It's the same thing I'd do every spring, get a couple starts and hopefully run with it, make the rotation," said Peacock, who moved to the bullpen full time last season due to the Astros' starting surplus. "We'll see what happens."

In assessing his 2018 season, Peacock concluded he relied too heavily upon his slider. Forty percent of Peacock's total pitches were sliders. Opponents hit .192 against them — the highest batting average against Peacock's slider in the last four seasons.

In 101 plate appearances, lefthanders slugged .626 against Peacock and accrued a .953 OPS. Lefthanders hadn't slugged over .600 against Peacock since 2015.

"It'll help him against different style hitters," manager A.J. Hinch said of Peacock's changeup. "Peacock has been a starter in the past, so he's had to deal with lefthanded hitters more so in the past than last year. But the changeup can always be effective, especially when you're in this high velocity, high spin fastball that's up. The changeup will be a good complement to him."

A Palm Beach native who resides near the Astros' spring training facility, Peacock was able to work on his new pitch alongside new bullpen coach Josh Miller throughout the offseason. Peacock estimated he's thrown six bullpen sessions containing his changeup.

"It feels great, he said, "I hope I can keep that going."

Odds and ends

Righthander Francis Martes, who underwent Tommy John surgery last August, said Wednesday he has progressed to throwing from 90 feet in his throwing program. Once regarded as the organization's top pitching prospect, Martes made five appearances last season, struggling to a 6.41 ERA before he received elbow surgery ...

New catcher Robinson Chirinos caught Justin Verlander's bullpen session on Tuesday — the first time the battery had worked together since Chirinos' signing. "He was really good," Chirinos said, "was working his fastball down and away. He looked really, really good." ...

Both Lance McCullers Jr. (Tommy John surgery) and Joe Smith (ruptured Achilles) will join the team in West Palm Beach, Fla. and continue their rehabilitations at the Astros' spring training facility.